Combination protective case having shocking personal defense system with cellular phone

ABSTRACT

A combination cellular phone and personal defense system for providing both a means of communication along with a means of self-defense in one unit. Provided is a detachably connectable protective case for a cellular phone, which when the cell phone is connected to the protective case, the combination cell phone and protective case is converted into a personal defense system with cell phone maintaining substantially all of its functionality. One embodiment relates to smart cellular phones and more particularly pertains to a new combination protective case for cellular phone which, when detachably connected to a cell provide, includes a personal defense system and phone system in one unit. In one embodiment the detachably connectable protective case with integrated self defense system which can be interchangeable with other cell phones of the same or similar designs. The circuit can be included in case geometries that accommodate phones from any manufacturer, including but not limited to smart phones such as iPhones.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is non-provisional of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.61/602,669, filed 24 Feb. 2012, which is incorporated herein byreference and to/of which priority is hereby claimed.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable

REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX”

Not applicable

BACKGROUND

One embodiment relates to smart cellular phones and more particularlypertains to a new combination protective case for cellular phone which,when detachably connected to a cell provided, includes a personaldefense system and phone system in one unit.

In one embodiment the detachably connectable protective case withintegrated self defense system can be interchangeable with other cellphones of the same or similar designs. The circuit can be included incase geometries that accommodate phones from any manufacturer, includingbut not limited to smart phones such as iPhones.

Known prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 5,988,450 to Cassarino; U.S. Pat.No. 4,624,389 to Ang; U.S. Pat. No. 4,446,990 to Stevenson et al.; U.S.Pat. No. 5,422,656 to Allard et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,446,789 to Loy etal.; U.S. Pat. No. Des. 350,744 to Hino; and U.S. Pat. No. Des. 343,172to Watanabe which are all incorporated by reference herein.

Other known prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 4,186,851; U.S. Pat. No.4,982,645; U.S. Pat. No. 5,429,301; U.S. Pat. No. 5,476,192; and U.S.Pat. No. 5,531,359.

While certain novel features of this invention shown and described beloware pointed out in the annexed claims, the invention is not intended tobe limited to the details specified, since a person of ordinary skill inthe relevant art will understand that various omissions, modifications,substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the deviceillustrated and in its operation may be made without departing in anyway from the spirit of the present invention. No feature of theinvention is critical or essential unless it is expressly stated asbeing “critical” or “essential.”

SUMMARY

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types ofcellular phones and personal defense devices in the prior art, oneembodiment provides a new combination detachably connectable protectivecase for a cellular phone, which case when connected to the housing of acell phone, converts the cellular phone into a personal defense systemwhile allowing the cell phone to maintain, substantially, all of itsfunctionality.

In one embodiment the cell phone includes a housing, display, keypad(which can be a touch screen and incorporated into the display),antenna, and power supply. In one embodiment the cell phone's powersupply is a rechargeable battery.

In one embodiment is provided a detachably connectable protective casehaving an electrical personal defense system, the protective case beingdetachably connectable to the housing of a cell phone.

In one embodiment a personal defense system is incorporated into theprotective case.

In one embodiment the personal defense system includes a shocking methodand apparatus.

In one embodiment is provided a new combination cellular phone andprotective case incorporating a personal defense system for providingusers both a means of communication and a means of self-defense in asingle combined hand held unit.

In one embodiment is provided a combination cellular phone anddetachably connectable protective case, which case incorporates apersonal defense system, and which case allows substantially allfunctionality of the cell phone when the case is attached to the housingof a cell phone.

In various embodiments the cell phone can be generally rectangular inshape having a phone length, width, and depth. In one embodiment theprotective case can be rectangular in shape having a case length, widthand depth. In one embodiment the case length and width dimensions arewithin 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15 percent ofthe respective cell phone length and width dimensions. In variousembodiments the respective dimensions fall within a range of any two ofthe above specified percentages.

In one embodiment the ratio of the case's depth dimension to the cellphone's depth dimension is less than 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7,1.8, 1.9, 2, 2.2, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.8, and 3. In various embodiments theratio falls within a range of any two of the above specified ratios.

In one embodiment a battery power the personal defense system can beoperably connected to the cell phone, and in another embodiment can beused to recharge the cell phone's rechargeable battery (such as at theuser's option).

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of theinvention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited in its application to the details of construction and to thearrangements of the components set forth in the following description orillustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of otherembodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways.Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminologyemployed herein are for the purpose of description and should not beregarded as limiting.

These together with other objects of the invention, along with thevarious features of novelty which characterize the invention, arepointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming apart of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention,its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses,reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptivematter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and objects other than those setforth above will become apparent when consideration is given to thefollowing detailed description thereof. Such description makes referenceto the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG.1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the operations of one embodiment usingan inductor based high voltage generator circuit.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of an inductor based high voltage generator circuitfor use in the operations of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the operations of one embodiment usingan LOPT based high voltage generator circuit.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of a LOPT based high voltage generator circuit foruse in the operations of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the operations of one embodiment of apiezoelectric based high voltage generator circuit.

FIG. 9 is a diagram of the a piezoelectric-based high voltage generatorcircuit for use in the operations of FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION

Detailed descriptions of one or more preferred embodiments are providedherein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention maybe embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosedherein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis forthe claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in theart to employ the present invention in any appropriate system, structureor manner.

One embodiment relates to smart cellular phones and more particularlypertains to a new combination protective case 300 for cellular phone 100which includes a personal defense system 400 for providing both phone100 and self-defense system 400 in one unit, which self defense system400 is included in a protective casing 300 for the cell phone 1100 andinterchangeable with other cell phones 100′,100″, etc. of the same orsimilar designs. Protective casing 300 can be modified to various mobilephones, and smart phones, such as the Apple iPhone, Motorola Droid,T-Mobile LG G2X, HTC EVO 3D, HTC Thunderbolt, Ericsson Xperia Play,Google Nexus, HP Pre, and Dell Venue Pro. Protective case 300 would bemodified to fit the particular geometry and size of the cell phone 100on which it is to be detachably connected.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the one embodiment of the combinedprotective case 300 (with personal defense system 400) detachablyconnected to a cell phone 100. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view ofthe embodiment shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a side view of the embodimentshown in FIG. 1.

The combination cellular phone and protective case/personal defensesystem 10 comprises a cellular telephone 100 having a housing 110.Inside housing 110 are the cellular phone electronics 120 including aCPU, a transmitter, and a receiver. Housing 110 further includes avisual display 130 (which can include a touch-type keyboard 140), anantenna 150, and battery 160, all electrically connected to the cellularphone electronics 120.

First rechargeable battery 160 can be disposed in housing 110 andelectrically connected to the cellular phone electronics 120. One sidewall 111 of the housing 110 can be a connection/recharge port 190extending inwardly thereof. Recharge port can be electrically connectedto rechargeable battery 160 to permit electrically connecting battery160 to an external power supply for recharging of battery 160.

Cell phone housing 110 can have walls 111, 112,113,114, 115, and 116.Cell phone housing 110 can have dimensions of length L1, width W1, andDepth D1.

Protective case 300 can have walls 311, 312,313,314, and 315, withinterior 320. Protective case can have dimensions of length L2, widthW2, and Depth D2.

In various embodiments cell phone housing 110 can be generallyrectangular in shape having a length L1, width W1, and depth D1. In oneembodiment protective case 300 can be generally rectangular in shapehaving a case length L2, width W2, and depth D2. In one embodiment thecase 300 length L2 and width W2 dimensions are within 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15 percent of the respective cell phonehousing's 110 length L1 and width W1 dimensions. In various embodimentsthe respective dimensions fall within a range of any two of the abovespecified percentages.

In one embodiment the ratio of the case's 300 depth D2 dimension to thecell phone housing's 110 depth D1 (D2/D1) dimension is less than 1.1,1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2, 2.2, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.8, and3. In various embodiments the ratio falls within a range of any two ofthe above specified ratios.

A personal defense system 400 is incorporated into the protective case300 which comprises shocking system 410, having a shocking circuit 500,a pair of shocking prongs 420 electrically connected to shocking circuit500, with shocking circuit powered by power source 440 such as abattery, which is an independent power source compared to battery 160 ofcell phone 100. Personal defense system can be mounted in the interior320 of protective case 330, and shocking prongs 420 can extend outwardlyfrom protective case 300 as shown in FIGS. 1-3.

In an alternative embodiment shocking prongs 420 can extend outwardlyfrom the opposing side (i.e., wall 312 or upper portion) than the sideshown in FIGS. 1-3 (wall 312 or lower portion). In another alternativeembodiment, shocking prongs 420 can be provided for both wall 312 andwall 314.

In one embodiment personal defense system 400 can include activationswitch 430 electrically connected to shocking circuit 500 forselectively activating shocking circuit 500 to emit from shocking prongs420 a defensive electric shock.

In one embodiment shocking system 410 can include a safety switch 450having safety and non-safety modes, and is electrically connected toactivation switch 430 to permit selective activation of activationswitch 430 only when safety switch is in anon-safety mode. In use,activation of safety switch 450 permits activation of activation switch430 to power shocking system 410 only while safety switch 450 is in anon-safety mode thus providing a safety feature preventing accidentalshocking of a user when using cellular phone 100 to communicate.

Shocking system 410 can be powered by power source 440 (which can be arechargeable battery) disposed in the interior 320 of protective case300 and electrically connected to shocking circuit 500. Preferably,protective case 300 includes a recharge port 350.

In use, the present invention affords the user of a luxury of a userhaving the option of incorporating a personal defense system into aconventionally available cellular phone.

Battery 440 can provide power to shocking circuit 500. Shocking circuit500 can be in various forms which are described below in relation toFIGS. 4-9.

FIGS. 4-9 show various embodiments of shocking circuit 500, 500′, and500″ which can be generally categorized as: (a) BEMF throughcapacitor/inductor to voltage multiplier; (b) LOPT or TriggerTransformer Step-up to voltage multiplier; and (c) Piezoelectric HVproduction+Low voltage current production.

The following is a list of acronyms which are used:

-   -   (1) BEMF: Back E.M.F. (electromotive force) or also called CEMF        (Counter Electromotive Force)    -   (2) LOPT: Line Output Transformer    -   (3) IC: Integrated Circuit    -   (4) LiPo: Lithium Polymer    -   (5) Li-ion: Lithium Ion

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the operations of one embodiment of apersonal defense system 400 incorporating a shocking circuit 500 usingan inductor based high voltage generator circuit. FIG. 5 is a diagram ofan inductor based high voltage generator circuit 500 for use in theoperations personal defense system 400. Shocking circuit 500 works byusing an integrated circuit, at a set frequency, to operate a transistorcontrolling a capacitor's discharge through an inductor. After thecapacitor discharges through the inductor, the magnetic field in theinductor breaks down and induces a current in the opposite direction ofapplication. This secondary current is of higher voltage than theoriginal current. The secondary current is carried to the voltagemultiplier which steps up the voltage even higher to 50,000 volts. Thevoltage multiplier contains a limiting resistor which limits the currentthat is passed to the animal/human target. The capacitor becomes chargedand is ready to discharge again.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of shocking circuit 500 which works by using an ICto generate the necessary oscillation for Q1 to open and close at a setfrequency. R1, R2, and C2 control the frequency of oscillation thatLM555CM generates. Batteryl is a 9 volt LiPo or Li-ion battery used topower the stun gun circuit. As Q1 opens and closes, the charge isdissipated through L1. L1 is the primary inductor and as the chargebeing applied quickly rises and then falls, the magnetic field on L1produces a strong BEMF. The BEMF is blocked by D1 and is allowed to passonto the voltage multiplier. In this example, the voltage multiplier ismade of 10 stages. The number of stages could vary depending on thefinal circuit requirements. The high voltage produced by the voltagemultiplier is current limited by R3 and sent to the spark gap andconnected electrodes to the spark gap.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the operations of one embodiment of apersonal defense system 400′ incorporating a shocking circuit 500′ usingan LOPT based high voltage generator circuit. FIG. 7 is a diagram of aLOPT based high voltage generator circuit 500′ for use in the operationsof personal defense system 400′. Shocking circuit 500′ works by using atransistor based oscillator with secondary feedback from a Line OutputTransformer [LOPT] or Trigger Transformer. As the inductance of thecircuit changes, so does the frequency of oscillation in the transistorbased oscillator. Those changes are accounted for with a coupledcapacitor and resistor network which control final output frequency to avoltage multiplier. The voltage multiplier steps up the primary voltageto 50,000 volts and this goes through a limiting resistor which limitsthe current that is passed to the animal-human target.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of shocking circuit 500′ which works by theSecondary Coil current draw pushing resonance to Q1, which drives theprimary coil. Initially the Feedback Coil in energized biasing Q1 andallowing current to flow through the Primary Coil. The magnetic couplingbetween the Primary Coil and the Secondary Coil effectively shunts theFeedback Coil from allowing current to pass by changing the FeedbackCoil's inductance. Since the current can no longer flow, Q1 switchesoff. The cycle repeats once the magnetic field of T1 drops low enough toallow current to pass through the Feedback Coil again. Battery 1 is a 9volt LiPo or Li-ion battery used to power the stun gun circuit.Secondarily, R3 and C1 modify the standing frequency of the circuit tothe voltage multiplier. The voltage multiplier in this case is made ofsix (6) stages, but this could change depending on final circuitrequirements. Finally, R4 limits the current to the spark gap and to theanimal-human target.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the operations of one embodiment of apersonal defense system 400″ incorporating a shocking circuit 500″ usinga piezoelectric based high voltage generator circuit. FIG. 9 is adiagram of the a piezoelectric based high voltage generator circuit 500″for use in the operations of personal defense system 400″. Shockingcircuit 500″ works by using an IC based oscillator to drive both alinear actuator and a transistor driven step-up transformer. The linearactuator compresses a piezoelectric crystal to generate a high voltage(40,000-50,000 volts), low amperage signal. The step-up transformergenerates a lower voltage (400-2,000 volts), higher amperage signal.Both the piezoelectric generator and the transistor driven step-uptransformer send their signals to limiting resistors where each signalis combined and protected. When the intended animal-human targetreceives a shock, the limiting resistors limit the current that ispassed to the animal-human target, but contains the necessary voltage topenetrate clothing while also containing the necessary amperage todisable the target.

Shocking Circuit 500″'s High Voltage Diode Bridge must be able tosustain (2,000-4,000 volts) approx. voltage spikes from XT, thepiezoelectric crystal being squeezed by Linear Actuator [LA1]. R1, R2,and C2 are chosen to control LM555CM's oscillation frequency. Battery 1is a 9 volt LiPo or Li-ion battery used to power the stun gun circuit.C1 is chosen to help facilitate a quick discharge to T1 through Q1, anNPN transistor. The oscillation frequency of LM555CM is in tune with theset oscillation frequency of LA1. R3 and R4 are chosen to reduce thevoltage spike on the High Voltage Diode Bridge and to regulate currentto the intended animal/human target.

As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of thepresent invention, the same should be apparent from the abovedescription. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the mannerof usage and operation will be provided.

The following is a list of reference numerals:

LIST FOR REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   -   10 combination cellular phone and personal defense system    -   100 cellular telephone    -   110 housing    -   111 wall    -   112 wall    -   113 wall    -   114 wall    -   120 cellular phone electronics    -   130 visual display    -   140 keypad    -   150 antenna    -   160 rechargeable battery    -   170 recharge port    -   300 protective case    -   310 housing    -   311 wall    -   312 wall    -   313 wall    -   314 wall    -   316 wall    -   320 interior    -   350 recharge port    -   400 personal defense system    -   410 shocking system    -   420 pair of prongs    -   430 activation switch    -   440 power source    -   450 safety switch    -   500 shocking circuit

All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature andpressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise. Allmaterials used or intended to be used in a human being arebiocompatible, unless indicated otherwise.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or twoor more together may also find a useful application in other types ofmethods differing from the type described above. Without furtheranalysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the presentinvention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adaptit for various applications without omitting features that, from thestandpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics ofthe generic or specific aspects of this invention set forth in theappended claims. The foregoing embodiments are presented by way ofexample only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited onlyby the following claims:

1. A cellular phone and protective case incorporating a personal defensesystem self-defense comprising: (a) an cellular telephone having ahousing, the housing including a front face with display; (b) thehousing further including a periphery defined by a face, side walls, andbottom; (c) a protective case having a plurality of side walls andbottom, and an interior defined by the side walls and bottom; (d) apersonal defense shocking system incorporated into the interior of theprotective case and a plurality of shocking prongs extending from theprotective case; (e) an activation switch operatively connected to thepersonal defense shocking system; and (f) the cell phone fitting insidethe protective case with at least 50 percent of the display beingvisible when inside the protective case interior, the cell phone beingdetachably connectable to the protective case.
 2. The cell phone ofclaim 1, wherein personal defense shocking system is powered by abattery which is independent from a power source for the cell phone. 3.The cell phone of claim 1, wherein the sidewalls of the housing of thecell phone have a depth D1, the sidewalls of the case have a depth D2,and the ratio D2/D1 is less than 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8,1.9, 2, 2.2, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.8, and
 3. 4. The cell phone of claim 3,wherein the ratio D2/D1 falls within a range of any two of the ratios1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2, 2.2, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.8,and
 3. 5. The cell phone of claim 1, wherein the personal defenseshocking system includes a pair of shocking prongs which extend from oneof the sidewalls of the case.
 6. The cell phone of claim 5, wherein theshocking prongs extend from the bottom sidewall of the protective case.7. The cell phone of claim 5, wherein the shocking prongs extend fromthe bottom sidewall of the protective case.
 8. A cellular phoneprotective case personal defense system comprising: (a) a protectivecase having a plurality of side walls and bottom, and an interiordefined by the side walls and bottom; (b) a personal defense shockingsystem incorporated into the interior of the protective case and aplurality of shocking prongs extending from the protective case; (c) anactivation switch operatively connected to the personal defense shockingsystem; (d) wherein the protective case is detachably connectable to acell phone, the cell phone having a housing, the housing including afront face with display, the housing further including a peripherydefined by a face, side walls, and bottom; and (e) the cell phonefitting inside the protective case with at least 50 percent of thedisplay being visible when inside the protective case interior, the cellphone being detachably connectable to the protective case.
 9. Theprotective case of claim 8, wherein personal defense shocking system ispowered by a battery which is independent from a power source for thecell phone.
 10. The protective case of claim 8, wherein the sidewalls ofthe housing of the cell phone have a depth D1, the sidewalls of the casehave a depth D2, and the ratio D2/D1 is less than 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4,1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2, 2.2, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.8, and
 3. 11. Theprotective case of claim 10, wherein the ratio D2/D1 falls within arange of any two of the ratios 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8,1.9, 2, 2.2, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.8, and
 3. 12. The protective case of claim8, wherein the personal defense shocking system includes a pair ofshocking prongs which extend from on of the sidewalls of the case. 13.The protective case of claim 12, wherein the shocking prongs extend fromthe bottom sidewall of the protective case.
 14. The protective case ofclaim 12, wherein the shocking prongs extend from the bottom sidewall ofthe protective case.
 15. A method of assembling a cellular phone andprotective case incorporating a personal defense system self-defensecomprising the steps of: (a) providing a cell phone having a housing,the housing including a front face with display; along with a peripherydefined by a face, side walls, and bottom; (b) providing a protectivecase having a plurality of side walls and bottom, and an interiordefined by the side walls and bottom; a personal defense shocking systemincorporated into the interior of the protective case and a plurality ofshocking prongs extending from the protective case; and an activationswitch operatively connected to the personal defense shocking system;(c) inserting the cell phone into the interior of the protective case,the cell phone fitting inside the protective case with at least 50percent of the display being visible when inside the protective caseinterior, the cell phone being detachably connectable to the protectivecase.
 16. A method of assembling a cellular phone and protective caseincorporating a personal defense system self-defense comprising thesteps of: (a) purchasing a protective case which is offered for sale,the protective case having a plurality of side walls and bottom, and aninterior defined by the side walls and bottom; a personal defenseshocking system incorporated into the interior of the protective caseand a plurality of shocking prongs extending from the protective case;and an activation switch operatively connected to the personal defenseshocking system; (b) providing a cell phone having a housing, thehousing including a front face with display; along with a peripherydefined by a face, side walls, and bottom; and (c) inserting the cellphone into the interior of the protective case, the cell phone fittinginside the protective case with at least 50 percent of the display beingvisible when inside the protective case interior, the cell phone beingdetachably connectable to the protective case.
 17. (canceled)